Vitamin D Repletion and AA/EPA Intake in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Influences on Metabolic Status

Our study aimed to show a relationship between metabolic control, vitamin D status (25OHD), and arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The secondary aim was to evaluate dietary intake and the presence of ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of T1D. Methods: A cohort of 40 children with T1D was recruited, mean age 9.7 years (7.1; 13), with onset of T1D in the last 5 years: some at onset (n: 20, group A) and others after 18.0 ± 5 months (n: 20; group B). Twenty healthy children were compared as control subjects (CS). Dietary intakes were assessed through a diary food frequency questionnaire. Moreover, dried blood spots were used to test AA/EPA ratio by gas chromatography. Results: T1D children had a lower percentage of sugar intake (p < 0.02) than CS. Furthermore, group B introduced a greater amount of AA with the diet (g/day; p < 0.05) than CS (p < 0.01) and group A (p < 0.01). Children with an AA/EPA ratio ≤ 22.5 (1st quartile) required a lower insulin demand and had higher 25OHD levels than those who were in the higher quartiles (p < 0.05). Subjects with DKA (9/40) had levels of 25OHD (p < 0.05) and C-peptide (p < 0.05) lower than those without DKA. Moreover, analyzing the food questionnaire in group A, subjects with DKA showed a lower intake of proteins, sugars, fiber (g/day; p< 0.05), vitamin D, EPA, and DHA (g/day; p < 0.01) compared to subjects without DKA. Non-linear associations between vitamin D intake (p < 0.0001; r2:0.580) and linear between EPA intake and C-peptide (p < 0.05; r: 0.375) were found in all subjects. Conclusions: The study shows a relationship between vitamin D status, AA/EPA ratio, and metabolic state, probably due to their inflammatory and immune mechanisms. A different bromatological composition of the diet could impact the severity of the onset.